₦airaland Forum

Well, well...
Ijeoma Okoronkwo (2), Desire Oparanozie (0).
And this is in Oparanozie's home turf.
This is proof that its time to change the guards.

Schemerkhiz:
Battle of Superfalcons strikers

Desire Oparanozie vs Esther Okoronkwo...

Esther Okoronkwo with (2)goals already game still on..

She is underage (16, I believe).
The NFF needs to reach out to her guardian and initiate discussions, not the other way around!

marvin906:
I think she should contact the NFF, if she's serious

Like I stated, having watched some of her games in the CL and Portuguese women's league with Braga, wasn't altogether impressed.
Just don't see her being as good or better than the current options we have.
Hopefully, I am wrong, but it remains to be seen.

Schemerkhiz:
She's naturally an Attacking Midfielder who also love to play from the Flanks not an outright Striker..

At Braga then she plays majorly from the Left, Right or the Middle behind the Strikers..

2016 U20 she played as an Attacking Midfielder alongside Ogechi Ukwuoma, Onyebuchi Goodness pro to and during the World Cup then.

Will see.
However, I am not placing any hope in her dumping Spain for Nigeria, especially since she is already in their setup.

Schemerkhiz:
It's her choice to play for Nigeria and the Father is even in support of her. I believe she chooses Spain due to the fact that Nigeria hasn't come for her..

Waldrum played her from the midfield against the US and she seemed okay. She seems to play better from the center. I really don't see her making an impact as a center forward as she is currently behind Oshoala, Onumonu, Kanu. And if Rinsola Babajide decides to come aboard the SF train (fingers crossed) then she will even fall lower in the pecking order.
If she cannot hack it as a midfielder, there are many others who can.

Schemerkhiz:
Amarachi Okoronkwo 29yrs by December, would certainly be out of this picking because she's more of an agressive Midfielder good for Physical games though..

Esther Okoronkwo is currently playing as a Center Forward for her Clubside in France, She didn't play from the Midfield during her University Days, putting her in the Midfield should be a no to me as she prefers the Left Flank and Upfront..

I am saying before she had her ACL.
She wasn't really that impactful for SC Braga and then moved to Linkopins in Sweden.
Watched a few of her CL games with Braga and wasn't too impressed. Same when she featured for Nigeria.
Besides, she is a striker, not a midfielder. It was that Dennerby that played her in midfield, and that really didn't work out.

Schemerkhiz:
Chinaza Uchendu is still recovering from ACL, I believe once she fully recover she would get her spot back...

This ACL is one of the most dangerous injury in Football, can take from 6months to about 2 years depending on the Severity.. Some times it might lead to the end of their career..

Example Ada Hergeberg of Lyon/Norway spent over 18months out of football because of ACL..

Spain will be foolish to let such a precocious talent go.
I really do not see her playing for Nigeria.
Unfortunately, we need to move forward beyond her.

Schemerkhiz:
She's very much interested in Playing for Nigeria but the problem is getting a the Call up which his Father Complained about that she hasn't had anything yet from the Nigerian FA concerning her playing for Nigeria but for now she's representing Spain at the U17 level.

Its time to cut Okobi and Chikwelu loose.
Their experience means little in this day and age and has actually been regressive to the team.
Not sure about Chinaza. She seems to have fallen off the radar.

Schemerkhiz:
Joy Bokiri, Christy Ucheibe, Chinaza Uchendu, Ngozi Okobi and Rita Chikwelu to offer Experience..

Agree. And her passing ability is top notch.
She is more impactful when playing in a central position (my observations from the Summer Series and her playing at Atletico Madrid).

Schemerkhiz:
Ajibade look more of a Central Midfielder, she brings alot of strength and agility to the Midfield..

I don't.
She doesn't have the speed that a Toni Payne (Seville) or Iffy Onumonu (FC Gotham) bring to the table. Not to mention Vivian Ikechukwu. It will be a waste putting Ajibade on the flanks.
I will place those two ahead of her on the wings.

CoolJulian:
While I agree Ajibade has all the attributes to blossom at the midfield, from her most recent displays, don't you think she's the very best to man the right wing? I, personally, see no better player at that wing. I think that it would be a waste playing her at the midfield when Otu, Payne, Ayinde can do the work perfectly.

Now that's a lady I have a soft spot for! Love the way she glides in the midfield.
Don't know why Dennerby decided to do away with her, as she seemed to be on the ascendancy before he came.

My midfield candidates for the future will be:
1. Toni Payne
2. Rash Ajibade
3. Halimat Ayinde
4. Regina Otu
5. Christy Ucheibe
6. Esther Ijeoma Okoronkwo

Worthy mentions:
Joy Bokiri - Not really sold on her. Slightly below par for me in the ABC but might improve with her move to AIK.
a. Amarachi Okoronkwo - Could be a fantastic midfield player and a great passer of the ball. However, she makes a lot of bone-head mistakes which ultimately ruin her game. Hopefully, she can clean up her act, as she can become a really great midfielder. Wait and see.
b. Osare Igbinovia - I have a soft spot for her. Intelligent, skillful midfielder. Hope she has another opportunity to prove herself, as she is only 25. However, with a lot of up and coming players, who knows.
c. Debbie Abiodun - Great performance with Rivers Angels and currently in U20. Certainly one for the future.
d. Elish Sulola - Maybe (if she choses to play for Nigeria). Big, strong and smart kid.

Schemerkhiz:
You just said something nice, Misplace passes sometimes which is her major down side if not Halimatu is good..

She used to be a great attacking Midfielder then during her U17 days before her transition to the Center Midfield role.


Osarenoma Ogbinovia??

Or Ajibade - Otu - Payne. I believe Ajibade is a better midfielder than striker (her passing and feistiness in the middle of the park is top notch!)

Schemerkhiz:
Hmmm... MAYBE is another Halimatu Ayinde, She sometimes get off the pedals but still the best Central/Box-to-Box Midfielder

I would love to see a Midfield of Regina Otu, Halimatu Ayinde and Tony Payne..

George is NOT world class - that's why she is still with SC Sands.
When she makes it to the bigger teams in the world, then she'll be there. She might get there someday.

Schemerkhiz:
How about Patricia George??

I am inclined to agree with you on Ayinde, especially considering she has been manning the midfield with much slower players (Chikwelu in particular).
With Otu and Payne alongside her, the pace and tempo of the midfield play should be much quicker and that would be of benefit to her. I just hope her bad injury doesn't impede her ability to play at her previous level and beyond.
Another midfield combination I think will be very effective would be Ajibade - Otu - Payne. There are improved options in the midfield but it needs to be overhauled and the old guard need to be let go.

I think Waldrum has sensed this and that may be a reason why someone like Ordega was benched for the final.

CoolJulian:
Actually, Ayinde is a very good player, like I stated earlier, she also ended up as her club's best player last season ; she has, in fact, been our best midfielder for years now, If you ever watched the recent AWCONs, and the turkey tournament carefully, you would notice her impact. Rita Chikwelu, who is extremely slow and washed up, and Okobi, have been flops( Okobi used to have moments of magic, though), same Okobi's magical moments have always, somehow, beclouded fans' sense of judgment.

Ayinde has been the one on the other end, trying to clean up the duo's "messes," trying to balance things up. If you remember vividly, in recent AWCONs, the likes of Cameroon have always outplayed us from beginning to end, the only thing they've lacked is experience - I am usually afraid whenever we are to face them cos of their physicality, which our midfield usually has no answers to, even South Africa had toatally overpowered our midfield at the last AWCON, we did not pay attention cos we, somehow, ended up winning the Cup.

Now that Otu has been discovered, together with Payne, I think It would be ideal that they play with Ayinde. In all, we need serious competition at the midfield and full back, I opine that attack is not the real problem,cos there are several options, same as central midfield.

She needs to leave the stage when the applause is loudest.
After over 12 years on the stage, its time to retire from the SF. Nothing left in the tank.
Goodbye!

naptu2:
https://mobile.twitter.com/oparanozie9/status/1440934763875999749

Unfortunately, there aren't any out there that are in that class yet - we need to groom them.
Identify the key attributes we want in our full backs and find players that have such and groom them.
Alozie has some of those attributes. The coaches need to work with her on the rest.

Schemerkhiz:
Glory Ogbonna still very much average, she's not that kind of Left Back we need right now. Her deliveries (pullouts) from the left wing wasn't okay at all, she would definitely improve very soon with her move to Sweden especially since its very certain that UMEA Ok is moving up to the OBOS DAMALLSVENSKAN next season...

I remembered vividly when Faith Ikidi was Faith Ikidi, the likes of Helen Ukaonu, when Ngozi Ebere was top notch from 2013-2016 which made PSG to sign her, Ugo Njoku did a great job too until she fell out..

We need the kind of Lucy Bronze of England, Hannah Glass and Anderson of Sweden, Sakina Karchaoui of France and USA Meghan Klingenberg type of full backs.. These Ladies boses the Full back position with pace, strength, defensively and excellent work rate..

That seems to be common place across the line with our Falcons - Oshoala, Ordega in particular, Oparanozie, Okobi and a host of others are guilty of that. Their default move is to first dribble, when a simple pass would be the most logical option.
Randy had a lot of work to do in coaching that out of them. South Africa seems to be well ahead of us in that regard.

PDPGuy:
There was a moment in the game when Uchenna Kanu had the chance to pass to Oshoala (I think) and put her through on goal, but Kanu chose instead to try to dribble a SA defender.
Then the defender successfully robbed her of the ball

I was so incensed as to how a supposed senior player lacked basic soccer intelligence

Ebi has worked extremely hard and she has been a faithful servant. She has been our most dependable CB for years and more than deserves to earn her 100th cap. She stays, in my opinion. Zogg, Plumptre, Demehin, Okeke and the likes can all learn a thing or two from her.

Regarding NWSL, there were several players from Rivers Angels that were good enough to be in the mix, but were at the U20 camp - Tosin Demehin, Mary Saiki and Debbie Abiodun come to mind. Maryann Ezenagu is another one that should be in the mix.

Patricia George certainly needs time to heal - her injury was a very serious one and we need to be patient with her. In terms of quickness, I will still believe the fastest of the bunch is Nicole Payne of WVU. That girl sprints for her college and is pretty fast. On the whole, we do have a dearth of midfielders and full backs. We need to scout - there are players in Nigeria, Europe and the US that need to be reached out to. Elish Sulola and Rinsola Babajide are two players we need to aggressively go after. There are a TON of players out there that can be Super Falcons if we seriously go after them.

Player availability WILL always be a problem for a team like Nigeria. Happens in the men's team also. Good thing is our player pool has to be big enough to absorb any of those kind of shocks. That is what Randy is doing (that is why a country like the US will always be in the top 5 countries of the world).

Schemerkhiz:
I think Onome Ebi is already at 90+ Caps..
38yrs nor easy, a younger CB can come in immediately..

Time to Scout in from the NWFL....

My greatest pain right now is the injury to Patricia George at the wrong time, she's another quality option as a Full back or a Winger, Skillful, Strong and very fast.. I bet non of our current Defenders are as quick or skillful as her.. Just hope she recovers fully before next month.

Our major problem is getting quality full backs and Midfielders..

One Major problem we have been having of recent is the availability of the Players.. one issue or the other might deny them the chance of coming around...

And what exactly has Assisat done on the continent to deserve winning it?
Just because she played for Barcelona (as a reserve) and won the UEFA Cup?
Truth is, outside of that, she has been a major flop for the National Team this year (even as captain).
This tournament will be what most analysts will use to judge who is the best African player.
No doubt, Thembi was the better and more impactful player.

CoolJulian:
She's actually not done enough to deserve it - Asisat will win, mark my words!

Agree.
She was like that during the Summer Series and has been that was for a while now.
Not sure what's going on with her, but its not looking good.

do4luv14:
not just in this tourney, majority of her game for us had always been like this, always walking like a passenger in a speeding expressway

Ariyo's lack of pace is clearly a big problem. I would rather play Ajibade in the midfield, alongside Payne and Regina Otu.
I think the best attacker we have now is Iffy Onumonu.

GeneralDae:
I have watched Ariyo, I don't really see her as a game changer when her team is not dominating. I think one of the best attackers we have at the moment is Rasheedat Ajibade.

Nothing wrong in ranting, sometimes its cathartic.

You're right. Nigerians love living in the past. Our overreliance on players who have passed their 'sell by ' date is what holds us back. Desire Ellis did a fantastic job in blending new players with the old. Nigeria was still looking for salvation with spent players like Oparanozie, Ordega, Chikwelu and Okobi.

I was particularly interested in what the SA coach, Desire Ellis and SA CAF rep Danny Jordan said during their post-match interview. SA knew our weak spot and exploited it to the fullest, by "playing the ball on the ground, passing the ball quickly around the midfield and exploiting the holes left in trying to cover Kgatlana". Both mentioned 'playing on the ground and passing the ball quickly'.
Nigeria were always trying to dribble their way thru and playing long balls. Clearly, SA knew our soft underbelly was a weak and sluggish midfield, as well as our strikers not passing quickly and always trying to dribble their way through.
We need to move the ball much quicker than the way we play, and play the ball on ground (not all these long balls that have a very low pass efficiency rate). The best teams in the world do not play like that anymore. SA know that and they have started to master it.

carbonado:
Let all man fight for shirt, no preference, may the best man/woman pick the shirt and not based on big names, after all, the so called big names where not known at a point im time. There always someone else to be the next big thing... Sorry guys for my rant, am just angry.

All in all, a great tournament for the development of women's football in Africa.
For Nigeria, a good slap in the face for us. We've been coasting along all these years and were derelict in refreshing our team and doing away with the old guard. The team has been LONG overdue for that. The likes of Ordega, Oparanozie, Okobi, Chikwelu need to be done away with. Bring in the new girls and groom them.

Randy Waldrum clearly has his work cut out for him. In fairness, we missed the likes of Ajibade, Payne sisters, Onumonu, Okeke & Ohale, to name a few BUT the best team of the tournament won today. Nigeria NEEDS to move forward. We still have a good team to win it all on the continent BUT we need to be serious about our refresh program and the building of a younger and more competitive team to ensure our qualification for the Nations cup and indeed and most importantly, the World Cup. We have a LONG way to go and we need to be serious about it!!!

As VP Akinwunmi said after the game, glad this happened NOW and not when we are playing Ghana, when there is ZERO margin for error.

Kudos to South Africa and the 2021 African Women's Player of the year (in waiting), Thembi Kgatlana.

This woman has been short 1 since she came in.

AkinDS:
Okobi, dribbling unnecessarily and losing the ball.

Okobi, dribbling unnecessarily and losing the ball.

Oshoala has been a complete joke in this tournament.
Very mediocre performance by her.

Tolulopefinest:
Is it that Oshoala can't be substituted?

Looks like Regina Otu that's injured. Darn!

Tolulopefinest:
Is it that Oshoala can't be substituted?

Fantastic goal from Obianuju Ikechukwu (Vivian). Fantastic goal!!!
Young player, again.

Vivian Ikechukwu pulls one back from a brilliant cross from Gift Monday. New, younger players.

I had said this many months ago that the likes of Oparanozie, Ordega, Chikwelu, Okobi and several of the old guard need to be dispensed with. People here were arguing.
Hope y'all now see what's happening - SA has refreshed its team with the likes of Salgado, Magaia, Kgatite and other new faces, who have blended and integrated into the team seamlessly and made them even stronger. Nigerians were fighting and loosing sleep over Oparanozie being left out.
Nigerians always love living in the past.

carbonado:
How many opportunities with oparonozie need to score... Azizat is absent... Alozie is not a natural right back from the way she plays.... Great lesson for super falcons ahead of qualifiers and afcon... Also time for the coached to make bold moves, some playets time at the national team should come to an end or atleast move to the bench...

Looking at some of the first half key stats:
Shots on target (Nigeria (0) - (6) South Africa)
Corner Kicks (Nigeria (2) - (3) South Africa)
Goalkeeper Saves (Nigeria (3) - (0) South Africa)

The SA keeper was pretty much on holidays. Talk about a dominating performance by SA, in our own backyard!

A weakened Ghanaian team? Ghana didn't concede 3 goals in the first half.
Like I said, we may be withnessing a dramatic changing of the guard in African women's football.
South Africa has played and is playing the BEST football in this tournament. Its not about gra-gra (Nigeria), its about playing intelligently and taking your opportunities (South Africa). That's how you become a world class team. Kudos to Desire Ellis who has built a very strong SA team over the years.

Nigeria is still relying on the likes of Chikwelu, Oparanozie, Ordega who are not only tired legs, but have been scouted for years by other African teams, to the extent they know their every singular move. Time to change out the old guard.

Lets hope this doesn't end up worse, as nothing stops the SA team from scoring more goals

CoolJulian:
They are playing the best football cos they defeated that weakened Ghanaian team? From the highlights I watched, I did not notice anything special in their play, or... You watched the full match?